Rev Matthew Earwicker
Rector to the Oldbury Benefice since June 2018
History
Rector of the Oldbury Benefice Diocese of SalisburyDiocese of Salisbury Jun 2018 - PresentAssistant Curate at Salisbury St Marks and Laverstock St Andrews Church of England Jun 2014 - May 2018Ridley Hall, University of Cambridge CTM, Theology 2012 - 2014London School of Theology DipHE, Theology 2003 - 2004St John's College, Oxford BA (Hons), Loterae Humaniores 1996 - 2000
Matt arrived with us in June of 2018 and moved into The Rectory with his lovely wife and family. With the five churches of the Benefice under his direct care, together with his team of ministers, lay ministers and administrators he has looked after us through perhaps the toughest of times with the arrival of Covid 19 in our midst.
Services Over The Christmas Holiday Month (December)
Funeral of Phyllis Elizabeth Morgan née Goodenough
1:30am
Led by Rev Matt Earwicker
Morning Worship
11:15 pm
Led by Rev Matt Earwicker
Holy Communion
11:15 am
Led by Rev Matt Earwicker
Morning Worship
11:15 am
Led by Rev Matt Earwicker
SpecialServices From The Church
For regular church services across the Benefice please look at our services diary.
Christenings at St Swithin's
So you would like have your child baptised? Or perhaps you yourself are seeking answers and think that maybe baptism is the first step towards finding them.
Here you will find information relating to baptism
Your Wedding at St Swithin's
Arranging Your Wedding in St Swithin's
The moment when a couple face each other and make promises about spending the rest of their lives together is a moving as well as a joyful event and it is our desire to make your special day just that - very special.
Funerals at St Swithin's
A funeral is used to mark the end of a person's life here on earth. Family and friends come together to express grief, give thanks for the life lived and commend their soul into God's keeping. These can be a small, quiet ceremony or a large occasion in a packed church.
Verse of The Day
Portfolio
Take yourself on a quick walk around our lovely church using our portfolio of images
- All
- Nave
- Chancel
- Altar
- Aisles
- Font
- Grounds
- The Tower
Messages From Our Church
A Message From MATT
By The Rev Matt earwicker
Villages - December 2025
Would you like to be famous?
The desire to be famous is as old as literature. The Trojan hero, Hector, as he faces death at the hands of Achilles, determines to die in glory rather than flee to safety. The Roman poet, Horace, claims his poems have brought him immortality: “I have completed a monument more eternal than bronze, higher than the pyramids … not all of me shall die.”
In our modern world, however, the desire for fame has reached a new level. Alongside those who achieve renown through music, sport, theatre or some other great deeds are those who are famous simply for being famous. The winner of Big Brother, Traitors or even I’m A Celebrity haven’t really achieved anything. They have brought some light entertainment into our lives, but their fame comes primarily simply from being in the spotlight.
The story of Jesus Christ is also about someone famous, but of an unusual kind of fame. His parents were so unimportant that they weren’t able to find proper accommodation even though she was pregnant and this was a world where not being hospitable was one of the greatest sins, and yet his birth was heralded by angels and brought shepherds down from the hills to see him. The rituals marking his birth in the temple brought him great attention as the aged Simeon and Anna told everyone who would listen that this was the long-awaited messiah, but then he faded into anonymity for the next 30 years. Even many years later, when he had become so significant that the authorities of his day became desperate to execute him before his popularity led to a rebellion and an inevitable and disastrous Roman attack, they needed his close friend, Judas, to point him out to them with a kiss.
Perhaps it is fitting, then, that every year when we come to the festival that bears his name we have a public debate about whether this is truly his feast. Whether it is the change of name from Christmas to “The Festive Season” or the celebration of God’s generosity being swamped by the commercialism of our own towns and lives. Is Jesus the centre of Christmas, or a mostly-forgotten excuse for a party?
The story of Christmas reminds us that God does not need us to make him famous. If fame and glory was all he wanted, then a few more angel choirs would have done the trick, perhaps, or some grand celestial fly past. But Jesus wasn’t interested in just being famous, even if, as the Son of God, he had more right to that fame than anyone else. He came to restore this world to the one it was supposed to be, to offer forgiveness and the chance to be God’s children again, and to show us a way of love and grace that is so much better than the way of violence and selfishness.
>Sometimes it upsets me to see how Christmas has become separated from the child of Bethlehem, but I know that what he really wants is not that we just remember him. What he most wants is for us to join him in building that kingdom of heaven he talked about so much.
Happy Christ-mass to you all.
Matt
Archive of messages.
GRAPEVINE WEEKLY
29 January 2026
Good morning all,
Welcome to Grapevine. It's been a wonderful week for the Church of England, with the election of Archbishop Sarah Mullally as the Archbishop of Canterbury. "It feels like a moment of renewal for the life of the Church in the nation," said Bishop Stephen. Our prayers go with her daily.
We are also celebrating more people following their call to leadership in Harnham, and you can read about the work of some of our clergy battling floods in churches and their communities as Storm Chandra hit this week. Please pray for all those affected.
Join our diocesan team on Volunteers Day on 5 June 2026. This day will be for all who volunteer and serve – on offer will be different workshops and training in areas to support your work, drop-in sessions for any specific questions, and a thank-you lunch which will be hosted by Bishop Stephen and Bishop Karen.
VOLUNTEERS DAY
Save the date:
5 June2026, 10:00-16:00
Emmaus House, The Avenue, Wilton, Salisbury SP2 0FG
Making Jesus Known
News from across our dioceseb
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Courageous Christian Leadership Joy as 106th Archbishop of Canterbury elected Following yesterday's service confirming Archbishop Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Stephen writes: "We have a new Archbishop! I was privileged to act as a Royal Commissioner today at the confirmation of the election of Archbishop Sarah Mullally. A Royal Commissioner is a senior bishop appointed by the King to ensure that the election takes place according to his royal command. The service was part service, and part legal court, and yet all the way through, one could feel the hand of God on this moment; not because it’s the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, but simply because we have a new Archbishop and her name happens to be Sarah. I confess I shed a tear or two as the congregation in St. Paul's applauded with great enthusiasm and thanksgiving. I don’t think it's too much to say that this feels like a moment of renewal for the life of the Church in the nation and, of course, in all of our worshipping communities. Thanks be to God!" Photos: Graham Lacdao/St Paul's Cathedral/ Diocese of Europe |
Courageous Christian Leadership 14 new Lay Leaders celebrated On Sunday 18 January, Harnham Parish churches welcomed 11 Lay Pastoral Assistants and 3 Lay Worship Leaders, with a celebratory commissioning. Many gathered from churches across the benefice to encourage and welcome the lay leaders into their new roles. Revd Becky Roberts said, "As vicar of Harnham and Rural Dean, I felt proud of the evening celebrating the inclusive lay ministries that continue to develop in Bemerton, the Cathedral and Harnham." You can watch the full service here. What are Lay Pastoral Assistants and Lay Worship Leaders? Lay Pastoral Assistants are trained and authorised to engage in pastoral ministry on behalf of the local Church, working as part of a team of clergy and laity. Lay Worship Leaders assist with planning and leading worship in the parishes where they live. Sound like something you would enjoy? Interested and want to know more? Join Bishop Karen as Bishop for Lay Ministry, Karen Hutchinson (Vocations Coordinator) and Fiona Hedges (Licensed Lay Minister) as they share general information about discernment and training for lay ministry, whether licensed or commissioned. Join online via Zoom on Monday 9 February, 19:00-20:30. You will be sent the link to join ahead of the event. Book here. |
Watch/Read |
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Working for justice From pulpit to piste, retired vicar raises over £10,000 for Rwanda A retired vicar has raised over £10,000 by skiing the height of Everest and the length of a marathon – all in aid of Rwanda. Revd Andrew Corke from Canford Parish Church, Wimborne is a keen skier. He said, "Our church has been supporting a Christian charity called Dufatanye for several years. They do amazing work supporting subsistence farmers, women setting up small businesses and in educating 600 children every Saturday. But their work has massively outgrown their building, so classes have to take place in the open air, meaning they are often abandoned during the rainy season." On 20 January in Wengen, Switzerland, Andrew completed an epic ‘Skiathon’, skiing more than 10,000 metres in elevation and 64 kilometres in six hours. "It was exhausting but great fun, and when people heard about what I was doing, I was amazed at their generosity. This will make a huge difference to the lives of our friends in Rwanda." If you’d like to see a video of Andrew’s ‘Skiathon', then click here. For Andrew’s JustGiving page and more information about the work of Dufatanye, click here. |
Working for justice Storm Chandra floods churches Across our diocese, churches and communities are being affected by Storm Chandra, causing flooding within church buildings and family homes. Flooding started on Monday in St Mary's, Charminster, and appeared from the ground on Tuesday, leaving the church two inches deep in water. Robbie, a gentleman sleeping in the church (thankfully in a warm vestry well above the water level), has helped immensely, directing the traffic around the flooded road and moving all the electrical items out of the way. With the help of some passersby, the team managed to sandbag the church entrance. The local school closed at lunchtime on Tuesday, and so did all of the local roads. Many of the parents had to leave their cars and walk from their workplaces, so Revd Leila helped carry children who weren't wearing waterproof footwear across the churchyard to help them on their journey of getting home safely. Revd Leila and locals put a plea on social media and local WhatsApp groups for help and said, "The response has been immense, and we are so very grateful to those who came to our aid, particularly as homes throughout our benefice are also underwater. We had around twenty volunteers show up with brooms, and Martin brought his aqua vacuum and pump, which removed hundreds of litres of water from under the organ pipes. At Charminster Church, most of the floor is now clear of water." Although this is a time of distress, our congregations and local communities have come together in order to rescue our church buildings as well as local houses. We pray for any of our churches that have fallen victim to the weather. |
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As seen on social |
Bishop Karen celebrates new Archbishop
Watch Bishop Karen as she went live on Facebook before the election of the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Sarah Mullally. |
Flooding inWimborne Minster
"The water level in the crypt rose steadily all day to being over my shoes by 5pm. This demonstrates why it is not architecturally a crypt at all but instead an "undercroft". The windows are at street level - it is not completely underground. The water table was too high even back in the 15th century, so the presbytery and high altar were raised to accommodate the choir passing underneath. #medievalhistory #medievalarchitecture #stourvalley #dorsetflooding #crypt #floodwater" |
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Events near you |
LGBTQIA+ chaplains commissioning |
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Anyone is welcome to join Bishop Stephen, commissioning eight volunteer chaplains to offer affirming support to LGBTQIA+ Christians and those exploring faith. 31 January 2026, 17:30 onwards (during Evensong), Salisbury Cathedral, SP1 2ES |
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Reflective prayer |
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Monday 2 February, 10:00, Salisbury Cathedral, SP1 2ES. Reflective prayer led by Bishop David Hamid, retired Suffragan Bishop of Europe. All are most welcome. |
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WEBINAR: Learn about the crises in the Sudans and how the Church can respond |
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Speakers include: Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion; Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo, Primate of the Episcopal Church of Sudan; Karimi Kinoti, Christian Aid; and Canon Ian Woodward, Sudans partnership. Email comms@salisbury.anglican.org to register for a Zoom link. |
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Exploring God's call |
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This series is for all those interested in ordained and lay ministry. |
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Bishop of Sherborne's 10th anniversary of ordination as Bishop service |
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You are all cordially invited to join Bishop Karen at this service of Holy Communion, to celebrate together. Bishop Karen was the eighth woman to be ordained bishop in the Church of England and the first female bishop of Sherborne. |
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Sarum College |
Exciting CMD opportunities at Sarum College for the new year! |
Still time to book: |
Opening the Scriptures for Lent - CMD spaces SOLD OUT |
With Clare Amos, 2 February, onsite, 10:00 – 16:00 |
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Coming Soon: |
Reading Scripture Together: Covenant - CMD spaces SOLD OUT |
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With Tom Clammer, 27 February, onsite, 10:00-16:00 |
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Theology Catch-Up: Atonement – 9 CMD spaces available |
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With Beth Dodd, 17 March, online, 12:00-14:00 |
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Walking with Young Pilgrims: Practical Leadership and Theological Reflection on Youth Pilgrimage – 12 CMD spaces available |
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With Lorna Johnson, Karen Gorham, Sarah Lewendon, Joe Hobday & Virginia Luckett, 17 March, online 10:00 – 13:00 |
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Browse the Spring 2026 Brochure Need a break? Find out more about personalised stays at Sarum College. |
